The past 175 years would not have been possible without the support of our members.

We want to hear about your memories of the MCC.

If you have multi-generational family involvement in the club, if you are or know members who have achieved great things, or even if you have an image that helps paint our 175-year history - please share!

The MCC was founded on November 15, 1838 when five men - Frederick Powlett, Robert Russell, George B. Smyth and brothers Alfred and Charles Mundy - agreed to form a cricket club to be known as the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Since then, the club has been an integral part of Melbourne life - principally as venue manager of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but also as a large, diverse club comprising people from all walks of life and backgrounds.

For generations, MCC membership has been one of the most keenly sought-after in Australia.

Throughout this year there will be opportunities for the public, MCC members and waiting list candidates to recognise a milestone reached by few other institutions in Melbourne. These include:

• An open day on the MCG and in the Members Reserve for MCC members, waiting list candidates and the public.
• A gala dinner for MCC members and guests.
• A175th Birthday Draw for members and waiting list candidates.
• A commemorative cricket match on the MCG between two of the world’s oldest sporting clubs - the MCC and the UK’s Marylebone Cricket Club - on December 31, following the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England.

MCC president Paul Sheahan said he was honoured to be leading the club through its 175th year.

“The MCC is more than just a large group of members based at the MCG,” Mr Sheahan said.

“It was prominent in developing the colony’s cricket and played a major role in guiding the game until after the turn of the 20th century. It was also highly influential in the establishment of other sports in Victoria, including tennis, baseball and lacrosse.

“For almost two centuries, the MCC has funded and managed the largest and most attended stadium in Australia and today we also operate as a heritage preserver, tourism operator and custodian of public parkland.

“We invite our members and the broader public to participate in the festivities and join us in celebrating this rare and wonderful achievement.”